early times report
Srinagar, Jan 23: Minority Affairs Ministry Mukhtar Abbas Naqvi on Wednesday visited historic Ganta Ghar in Lal Chowk, the nerve centre of the summer capital, Srinagar, amid unprecedented security and interacted very briefly with the shopkeepers.
Naqvi, who is on a two-day visit to Srinagar, said the Centre is committed to overall development of the people of J&K.
This is the first visit of a Union Minister to the valley after abrogation of Article 370 and Article 35 A, besides bifurcation of Jammu and Kashmir in two Union Territories – J&K and Ladakh.
Meanwhile, unprecedented security arrangement was made for the visit of the Union Minister to Lal Chowk on Wednesday morning. Security forces were deployed in strength in Lal Chowk and adjoining areas to prevent protests and militant attack.
The visit of Naqvi to the nerve centre of the city comes a day after shops and business establishments were closed in Lal Chowk, Maisuma, Gowkadal, Basant Bagh, Kokerbazar, MA road, Abi Guzar and adjoining areas to mark the 30th death anniversary of the 52 civilians killing in alleged security forces firing on protestors.
Naqvi went around the market and shook hands of various shopkeepers though the interaction was limited to greetings only. The Minister was accompanied by Advisor to the Lt Governor Farooq Khan, Deputy Commissioner, Srinagar, Dr Shahid Iqbal and other senior officials.
However, a trader from ‘Makka Market’ urged the Union Minister to address their grievances. “We are being used as disposable items by authorities. I request you to get our shops settled permanently in the market,” a trader could be heard saying to the minister.
“People are very enthusiastic and the environment is positive. In this positive environment, we will reach out to the people and inform them about the change (post abrogation of Article 370 and Article 35 A). The centre is committed to overall development of the people of J&K,” told reporters after the visit.
Naqvi’s visit to Srinagar comes in the wake of outreach programme launched by the Centre to educate people about various developmental projects and schemes, including PMDP, flagship schemes and iconic projects, benefiting people in J&K.
However, interestingly out of 36 Union Ministers visiting J&K, only five will interact with people in Kashmir valley. |
